MIDFIELDER Joe Fitzpatrick is set to sign for AFC Telford United after being released by Worcester City

Fitzpatrick joined the Blue and Whites in the summer after impressing on trial.

The 19-year-old, a product of Mansfield Town's academy who has been playing for their under 21s side, made eight appearances for City.

However, Worcester confirmed Fitzpatrick had left the club and was "set to join" Vanarama National League North rivals Telford.

A club spokesman said: "We would like to wish Joe all the best and thank him for his efforts whilst wearing a City shirt."

His departure comes after Bucks boss Rob Smith revealed they were close to completing the signing of Fitzpatrick, saying they had “done well to get somebody of his ilk”.

He also had an unsuccessful trial at Telford in pre-season, but with the Bucks light on numbers due to injury and unavailability, Smith said he was keen to get him on non-contract terms.

“We signed five or six other midfielders in the summer so there was simply no room for Joe,” Smith said.

“But I was really impressed. He’s good technically and we’ve done well to get somebody of his ilk.”

After losing his place in the team, Fitzpatrick was given the nod ahead of captain Danny Jackman for three successive games.

However, he was hauled off at half-time in City's 5-1 defeat at Darlington 1883 and was not included in the 16-man side to face Altrincham last weekend.

Speaking after Worcester's 3-0 victory, manager Carl Heeley explained: "I left Joe out of the 16 for no reason other than I needed to bring a defender onto the bench because I felt we were light if we did get an injury."

Worcester face Telford at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, November 12.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Nick Draper has joined Northern Premier League Division One South side Bedworth United on a one-month loan deal.

The Grimsby-based stopper has started three matches since signing for City in the summer, but the 22-year-old has slipped down the pecking order behind on-loan duo Ryan Boot and Ethan Ross.